How to Tackle Seasonal Changes in an Easily Organized Way

Is there anything more beautiful than the changing of the seasons? And summer into fall is one of the best transitions.

Pumpkin Spice lattes. Crisp apple cider. Bulky sweaters. Warm fires. Hot chocolate. Cozy blankets. Ok, I’ll stop.

Fall is such an inspiring season. The foliage alone is enough to make you pause and admire nature. What better way to embrace it than by finding ways in your home to showcase its beauty?

Decorate but make it organized

I don’t know about you but I love decorating for fall. I know others who can’t wait to bust out their fall and winter decorations.

But how much is too much?

It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that, yes, there is an organized way to decorate your home. And it starts with paring down to paring down your decorative pieces.

I know, I know! Bear with me a moment.

We’re all guilty of buying a new decorative piece that catches our eye in the store. Hey, we’re only human. But before you know it, containers have piled up with decorations and you don’t have space for it all.

The last thing you want is for your home to look like the Home Decor section of Target threw up all over your living room.

Be strategic when decorating. Maintain a consistent color scheme. Find areas you can highlight with certain pieces.

Don’t just place items wherever. Put some thought into it. Play around with pieces and see what works together. This is part of the fun. Take pictures so the following year you remember what you did. Or try something new.

Remember, fall is a transitional time. It’s ok to try something different.

Sideboards are perfect for setting a few decorative pumpkins, gourds, and leaves together. Bars and kitchen countertops work too.

If you like to keep your kitchen untouched, a little change you can do is find decorative containers. Use labels to mark them. Coffee. Cookies. Sugar. Hang fall-inspired dish towels or use darker shades like burgundy rather than lighter, summery tones.

Do the same in bathrooms. Sometimes just changing our color scheme can liven things up.

While decorating, note the pieces you haven’t used in a while. If you remove something from a container that you haven’t put out in years, consider its need. Offer it to a friend, a family member. Sell it. Don’t resort to throwing it away. Someone else might appreciate it for their collection.

Believe me, you’ll find a lot of similar pieces so ditching an old for a new shouldn’t be that hard.

Here are a few other areas you can change to revitalize your space for the season:

• Throw pillows and blankets.
• Wall art.
• Seasonal scents (candles or oils).
• Rugs.

It’s exciting to decorate for a new season. Trust me, I know. But like everything else that Project Neat stands for, it’s important to keep it organized. This guarantees a smoother transition and a home that feels — and looks — cozy.

Efficient ways to make your house feel comfortable

Seasonal changes include more than just decoration. Cooling weather means we won’t need to rely on air conditioning as much. We can open windows, feel the nice breeze. But as we all know, temperatures can be unpredictable. Regulating the climate in your home can be tough, but there are cost-effective ways around it.

The first change we always notice is the breeze. No longer are we hit in the face with humid, summer air. Fall means cooler breezes we want to feel.

So, open those windows. Part those curtains. Let the breeze in! As well as the sunshine. It’s amazing how much the sun can warm up a room if you let it. On sunny days, open the curtains. If it gets too hot, close them.

Now let’s talk about ceiling fans.

In the summer months, the blades should be spinning counter-clockwise. This pushes the cool air down. Come fall and winter, you want the opposite effect. You want the warm air pushed your way. Do this by switching the direction of your blades. Most ceiling fans will have a toggle switch on the base just above the blades.

The downside to having windows open all the time is the addition of dust, pollen, and other allergens. So while welcoming the cool breeze into your home, it also means you’ll need to be extra tidy.

Replace air filters more regularly. Dust. Vacuum and mop. Schedule a time every week to do a little light cleaning. This way it becomes a habit. Bonus points if you find yourself sneezing less.

As the days become colder, the next thing you want to ensure is that your home is prepared. Home maintenance is key during seasonal changes. Checking this beforehand will save costly repairs down the road.

It’s so important to keep your home safe against the cold. Is your home ready to tackle the drop in temperatures?

Wait — I have to prepare my house?!

Never fear! Project Neat is here to guide you through it.

Studies reveal that 56% of homeowners don’t properly prepare their homes for seasonal changes. They prefer an “ignorance is bliss” mindset. They’d rather take care of the problem as it happens, which doesn’t do anyone any favors.

Weather, in any location, can be unpredictable. But here on the east coast, we deal with a lot more. Superstorms, hurricanes, blizzards, Nor’easters, humidity; we’ve seen it all.

So, what exactly should you be doing to prep for the seasonal changes?

Here’s a handy checklist for you.

Seasonal Change Checklist

• Check your roof for leaks.
• Clean out your gutters.
• Caulk around windows.
• Install weather stripping.
• Replace furnace filters.
• Clean air ducts.
• Update insulation.
• Look for pests.
• Check wiring.
• Cover A/C or remove window units.

Pests, leaky roofs, and drafty doors/windows are the top three problems homeowners deal with when the seasons change. Best to start scheduling maintenance ASAP.

By taking care of this now you’ll save yourself time and money. Don’t wait until something happens.

There are so many things you can do in your home to make the changing of the seasons easier. And you know if you’re ever stuck, Project Neat is here to help.

Drop us a line. We’d love to hear how you want to update your home for the upcoming season.